In our latest blog post, Emily Symonds, recently appointed Management Board member of Future Farmers of Yorkshire, introduces herself and previews our Summer 2025 events and activities.
As Regional Engagement Manager for Beef and Lamb in the North East for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), my role is to be the key connection between levy payers, the wider supply chain and AHDB’s national work.
It’s a fast-paced role that’s given me experience across the beef and lamb supply chain from beef processing and exports to research and development, and it means dedicating my time to helping farmers make informed decisions that drive success.
This is something I’m looking to bring to Future Farmers too, having recently joined the network’s Management Board.
My motivation for joining the Board is to support and help deliver innovative, relevant, and practical knowledge exchange that helps like-minded farmers, vets and industry supporters improve productivity, navigate shifting legislation, and respond to new challenges with confidence.
What we have coming up this summer taps into all of this, as well as offering a sense of connection with others in the industry who share your aspirations for the future.
Summer Social
First up, we are inviting all our members to a summer social!
It’s networking and knowledge exchange but with a light touch as we head to the award-winning Wold Top Brewery at Hunmanby Grange in the Yorkshire Wolds on Thursday 26th June.
It’s going to be worth the trip and the £25 ticket price.
Starting at 6pm, we will enjoy a farm tour to find out about sustainable farming practises that shape the business, before going behind the scenes at the brewery itself from 7pm and rounding off the day with a barbecue at 8pm.
GYS Breakfast Meeting
Whether you are new to Future Farmers or have been with us since the very beginning, this occasion is a chance to get together in good company and it will warm you up nicely for our headline event, our Great Yorkshire Show Breakfast Meeting on the morning of Wednesday 9th July.
It is the best way to start your Wednesday visit to the Show, with a free breakfast sandwich and a chance to catch up with friends before taking in a big topic with our industry panel at the Ariat GYS Stage.
Our panel is tasked with highlighting real-world strategies, tools and actions that farmers can use to improve profitability, strengthen resilience and build sustainable businesses.
Amid all the various changes and pressures in agriculture, our aim is to send you away with clear takeaways that help you to focus your business energy over the next year.
Get full details about our GYS Breakfast Meeting here, where you can register your place in advance to help inform catering.
ORFC In the Field at Hill Top Farm, Malham
Ahead of the Show, the deadline for applications for our latest bursary opportunity, to attend ORFC In the Field, is 1st July.
This two-day event takes place later in the month on 23-24th July at Neil Heseltine’s Hill Top Farm in Malham, a stunning location for sessions that examine nature-friendly livestock farming.
Organised by the team behind the Oxford Real Farming Conference, experts will discuss mob grazing, cow-calf contact dairying, permaculture design, hay meadow restoration and lots more.
A two-day farmer ticket costs £95, but two Future Farmers will be awarded free places, courtesy of our network – an opportunity not to be missed!
Be part of Future Farmers
If you’re reading this and you’re not yet a member of Future Farmers, you are very welcome to sign up to be a member here.
Don’t be confused by our name, Future Farmers is open to everyone working in agriculture, regardless of your age or level of experience.
Being a Future Farmer is about being forward-thinking and part of something that is led by farming people for farming people with the support of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
We would love to welcome you to one of our events this summer.
